"What is it?" Me and Brian were hitting it off!" Tiff asked

"Nick doesn't care about this date. He doesn't even want to be here. I can tell," I said getting emotional.

"If you like this guy, you shouldn't care how he looks," Tiff replied, but knew she'd be equally angry.

"Lets just go," I sighed and put a fake smile on. We went back out, "So,
where're we going?" I asked.

"Dinner and then it's a surprise," Nick smiled.

"I thought it was only dinner...OH!" Brian said confused, but then caught on.

"C'mon Al, so little time, so many people to show you off to," he grinned holding his arm out to escort me. I held on and we left. Tiff and Brian
followed right behind us.

We went to an Olive Garden which is semi fancy, so I was a little
embarrassed by Nick's clothing choice, but he was quite the charmer and I forgot about it. I excused myself from the table and me and Tiff went to the rest room to freshen up.

"Are you still mad?" Tiff asked.

"Nah, he's acting okay now, but I'm still nervous. Dates aren't my thing
right now and it's really uncomfortable," I explained.

]"It gets easier, don't worry," she assured me as we left. We walked
back out to see Nick was in a completely different outfit. He had changed just for me. He had on a red collared button down shirt left open with a white T-shirt underneath with khakis to complete the look.

"Better?" Nick asked pulling out my chair for me. I just smiled and sat
down. Dan had never been so kind to pull my chair out for me. It felt kinda weird that Nick did it.

"Nick, Al, I think we're gunna head home," Brian announced as him and
Tiff got up.

"Wait, why?" I asked startled.

"We're both kinda tired. I assume you two will be fine," Tiff winked at me as they left. Even though Nick was my boyfriend I was really uncomfortable sitting at a table alone with him. When the guys were around it was fine, but it was like I had to perform in front of him. He paid the bill and we sat there with a light conversation. It was just small talk. Nothing really important. He took my hand and kissed me lightly.

"It's surprise time," Nick said softly to me. He led me out of the restaurant.

"Where're we going?" I asked shutting my car door.

"Its a surprise," he said with wide eyes. He must have been frustrated. I
had been asking the whole time where we were going. I guess I did get a little annoying with that.

"Dan always told me where we were going," I mumbled looking out the
window.

"Well, I'm not Dan," Nick said angry at that remark.

"I know," I said disgusted and looking him over.

"We're in New York ya know, why don't you just go back to him," he said
getting really angry at all my snotty comments.

"Maybe I should, he never pressured me into doing it. He had enough
sense not to take my virginity," I yelled at him.

"You were a virgin?" he asked shocked.

"No," I lied, "Take me home. Now!" I demanded.

"What just happened here?" he asked still in shock and not believing me.

"We're braking up...again, now take me home!" I yelled.

"This is not a thing I can take lightly Al. You should've told me," he said in deep thought.

Since it was New York I got out of his car and hailed a cab. I went back to the hotel upset. I fell on my bed and fell asleep crying.

The next morning the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Al, its Brian. Nick told me what happened," I cut him off.

"And he's sorry, but its too late now. Even though it was just an argument we just don't get along long enough to keep a steady relationship," I replied.

"At least try to work it out," he suggested.

"Brian, I have to go. I'm on a business trip and I have to go to work," I
said and hung up. I got ready and walked out the door. Nick was waiting for the elevator.

"Hey," he said quietly, "Going to work?"

"Yeah," I replied looking away. Nick swung his arms back and forth
trying to find something to say.

"I'm just heading out to pickup something," he explained himself. Not that I cared.

"Oh," I mumbled.

"Al, we have to talk about this," he started suddenly, "I'm sorry for what I said, but you can't just spring that on a guy."

"Well, I'm sorry I wasn't already used," I said sarcastically as I got in the elevator.

He followed.

"Don't get angry, i was apologizing," he defended.

"Fine, apology accepted," I said smugly, "And I'm sorry for not telling you."

"So..." Nick said putting his arms around me.

"What're you doing?" I asked pulling away. Nick looked hurt at the sight of me pulling away from him.

"What do you mean?" he asked confused.

"We're not back together," I said getting off the elevator. I hailed a cab and got to work. Waiting there was a bouquet of flowers.

"I'm guessing the rest of the date went well considering these flowers,"
Tiff assumed.

"It was hell," I growled. Tiff didn't bother me about it anymore and I
opened the card.

"Al, I hope you're still my date for the grammies. I'll whine until you
come! And you know how annoying I can get. Please meet me for lunch at Marion's. PLEASE!?!?!" I read to myself, "How does he do it?" I thought.

"He's still the same," Tiff laughed.

"Yeah," I smiled. I picked up the phone and called his cell phone.

"Hey Al," his voice came over.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

"I know you Al, I knew you'd call," he smirked, "So are you coming?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"To which one?" he asked.

"Both," I smiled.

"Great, be there at noon, but sweety I gotta go," he started.

"Sweety," I pondered, "Now that's an improvement."

"Glad ya think so. Seeya then," he said hanging up.

"Bye," I whispered lovestruck.

I went back to work unable to concentrate.

"Ali, when you go to lunch, don't come back," Tiff laughed, "You have to get your scrawny ass ready for the grammies."

"Fine," I replied. Time didn't seem to pass, but it must've because soon
enough it was time to go to lunch. I left and went to Marion's.